Globalization and Islam A C ASE STUDY OF INDONESIAN ISLAMIC NGO S Rebecca Lawrence | Political Science

BACKGROUND SOCIAL WELFARE EDUCATION: GLOBALIZATION AND ISLAMIC IDENTITY • Both organizations have educational programs for students Many scholars have argued that globalization has undermined from kindergarten through university that provide secular Islamic culture as it promotes Western culture through the and religious studies media and its economic and political power. However, • Promote gender equality in schools globalization is not at odds with Islamic culture. I will explain • There are about 20,000 (Islamic boarding schools) this through two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in and over 30,000 madrasahs (Islamic day schools) Indonesia, and (NU). By examining the activities of these two organizations, I argue that HEALTH CARE: globalization has not necessarily affected Islamic cultural • Muhammadiyah has many hospitals and clinics throughout identity negatively. Instead, Islamic organizations responded to Indonesia to provide medical care for the poor at lower costs the challenges of globalization proactively and established • NU has mosques that provide free health services interconnectedness, cooperation, and tolerance. As a result, they are reinforcing their Islamic beliefs and practices. PEACEBUILDING

• Muhammadiyah maintains interfaith dialogues and collaborates with other organizations • Dr. Din Syamsuddin, Muhammadiyah’s leader, promotes peacebuilding at lectures around the world • These organizations are important in combating Islamic CONCLUSION radicalization and they strongly support religious pluralism

Muhammadiyah and NU are critical agents in the globalization THE ENVIRONMENT process. They provide social services for many Indonesians through their education and healthcare programs. The Discussing Muhammadiyah health care • Muhammadiyah and NU have effective mobilization organizations work together to promote peacebuilding and help strategies to try and combat some of the environmental to alleviate some of the environmental challenges Indonesia faces. They are important institutions to help promote Islamic RESEARCH QUESTION issues, including deforestation, increasing sea levels, and climate change cultural identity through their programs and collaborations with How have Islamic mass-based organizations responded to the other organizations. While tackling issues of globalization, they challenges of globalization? • Pesantrens are becoming more ecologically conscious and teaching students environmental values enhance Islamic values and promote well-being and peace. ARGUMENT • The organizations are creating fatwah to promote The organizations are critical agents, not passive actors, because they environmental sustainability help to alleviate the challenges globalization poses. In that process, they also promote Islamic cultural values.

NU AND MUHAMMADIYAH NU • Founded in 1926 in East Java • Largest Islamic organization with 40 million members Meeting with Dr. Syamsuddin • Traditional – pluralist • Combining Indonesian and Islamic culture ACKNOWLEDGMENTS MUHAMMADIYAH • Dr. Eunsook Jung • Founded in 1912 in • Second largest Islamic organization with 30 million members • UWEC Center for Excellence and Research • Modern – reformist • International Fellows Program • Want to get rid of superstitious practices

Pesantren in Surabaya

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